Drift-wheel for piers and bridges.



G. M. D. BELL. DRIFT WHEEL FOR PIERS AND BRIDGES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1913.

1,077,508. Eaten ted Nov. 4, 1913.

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DRIFT WHEEL FOR PIERS AND BRIDGES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, 1913.

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GEORG M. n. BELL-01E LUCERNE, INDIANA.

DRIFT-WHEEL FOR PIERS AND BRIDGES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 4:, 1913.

Application filed May 22, 1913. Serial No. 769,148.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE M. D. BELL,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Lucerne, in the county ofCass and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Drift-Tiheelfor Piers and Bridges; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

This invention relates to a new and useful improved drift wheel forpiers and bridges.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of this nature forpreventing drifts, rafts or logs or the like from stowing againstbridges, piers, or docks or the like.

One of the features of the invention is the provision of a heavy solidmetal wheel, the periphery of which is armored with spikes, andyieldably mounted with relation to the bridge, pier or the like, infront or under the same, so that when the drifts or floating logs pass,they rotate the wheel, and slide or drift along. The yieldability of thewheel relieves or absorbs the sudden impact or jar upon the bridge, pieror the like. If the wheel be arranged in a horizontal plane from thebridge or the like, the yieldability is not only in the direction of thebridge, but also vertically, and if the wheel is mounted under thebridge, the yieldability is likewise in two directions. If desired, thebridge, pier or the like may be equipped with a plurality of saidwheels, as shown in the drawings, so as to maintain the various objectsfully under the water, so as to slide along.

In practical fields the details of construction may necessitatealterations, to which the patentee is entitled, provided the alterationsfall within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combinations of parts, ashereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings :Figure l is a view showing the application of severalof these armored wheels, as attached to a bridge or the like, so as tokeep the drifts well on their way under the bridge or past the pier.Fig. 2 is a view showing only one of said wheels. Fig. 3 is an enlargeddetail view.

Fig. 4: is a view showing the yielding springs eliminated.

Referring more especially to the drawings, l designates a portion of abridge, pier or the like, to which a plurality of brackets 2 are securedby means of heavy stout steel spring straps 3, which yield incident todrifts, rafts or logs coming in contact with the heavy solid wheels 4.These wheels are provided on their periphery with spikes or pointed lugs5, so that the drifts, logs or other objects will not slip relative tothe wheel. Said wheels are arranged in the bifurcations 6 of thebrackets, and their stub shafts 7 are mounted in the slots 8 of the arms10 of the brackets, there being springs 11 arranged in the slots 8,against which the shafts act. In other words, when an object comes incontact with the wheel, the springs 11 yield incident to the impact. Thesprings 11 of the brackets of the side of the bridge yield in thedirection of the bridge, while the steel spring straps 3 allow the wheelto yield upwardly. The springs of the brackets under the bridge yieldvertically incident to the impact, while the splrings 3 allow thebrackets to yield latera y.

ln Fig. 4 the springs 11 are dispensed with, nevertheless the bracket isallowed to yield upwardly.

On narrow bridges or piers it may be only necessary to utilize one, orpossibly two of said drift wheels, but in extremely broad bridges or thelike, itmay be necessary to utilize a number of said drift wheels, itbeing the privilege of the inventor to utilize as many drift wheels asdesired.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and usefulis 1. In combination with a pier, a bracket having a bifurcation, aheavy steel spring strap for securing the bracket yieldably to the pier,and a heavy solid metal wheel mounted in said bifurcation and having itsperiphery armored with spikes.

2. In combination, a heavy solid metal drift wheel having its peripheryarmored with spikes, a bracket member having a bifurcation and providedwith arms, a stub shaft mounted in said arms, and on which shaft thewheel is mounted, said wheel eX- tending into said bifurcation, and aheavy steel spring strap for securing the bracket member yieldably to apier.

straps for securing the bracket member 10 yieldably to a pier.

In testimony whereof I have s1gned my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE M. D. BELL.

3.111 combination, a heavy solid metal drift Wheel having its peripheryarmored With spikes, a bracket member having a bifurcation and providedwith arms, a stub shaft mounted in said arms, and on which shaft thewheel is mounted, said Wheel extending into said bifurcation, said armshaving slots, springs in said slots against which the stub shafts act,and heavy steel spring Witnesses:

N ELLIE E. ETNIER, MYRTLE KINCADE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington. D. G.

